USDA cites OHSU for burn injuries to 2 monkeys

Please contact Dr. Robert Gibbens to insist that the USDA Punish
Oregon Health and Science University with issue a major fine for the
negligence which burned two monkeys and killed and injured others (see
OHSU cited for abuse of 22 research monkeys).

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — The Oregon Health & Science University
(OHSU) has been cited for a second time this year for injuries to two
monkeys, according to federal reports.

A recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report dated
July 29, 2014, revealed that OHSU was cited for burn injuries that two
monkeys sustained from an electric heating pad used during a medical
procedure. Both monkeys went on to make full recoveries, according to
the report.

In response to the recent report, Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN)
has filed an official complaint with the USDA, alleging a “long-term
pattern of negligence, which kills and injures primates.”

The group filed another complaint against OHSU after a USDA
inspection in April that resulted in three pages of citations relevant
to multiple monkey deaths and injuries.

Following this second inspection, SAEN is pushing for a severe
penalty for all 2014 infractions, which could exceed $100,000.

OHSU was fined $11,679 in 2012 by the USDA for Animal Welfare Act
violations, according to SAEN.

Officials at OHSU released a statement that indicated they
self-reported the monkey’s burns and have since stopped using heating
pads.

“Since the incident, the ONPRC animal care team no longer uses
heating pads to keep monkeys warm during sedation. Animal care
specialists now use special water heating pads or forced-air heating
pads for that purpose,” in part read the statement. “We at OHSU and
ONPRC accept an ethical mandate to ensure that all of our animals are
treated respectfully and humanely.”